Cardiff Assembly Members Julie Morgan and Mark Drakeford have had a ‘very positive meeting’ with the Welsh Government’s Sports Minister Huw Lewis to discuss the proposal to erect a statue to honour Welsh football legend Fred Keenor.

The Minister made it clear to the AMs that he supports the fundraising appeal and that he is very keen to help the Echo-backed campaign.

Cardiff North AM Julie Morgan and Cardiff West AM Mark Drakeford are both backing the statue bid and will be attending a fundraising event at the Cardiff City Stadium on Thursday night where local chef Dilwar Ali of the Nahin Spice Centre in Caerphilly Road will be serving up a delicious supper. Special guest at the event will be Frank Hennessy.

Julie Morgan said: “The Minister was impressed by the successful campaign to honour one of Wales’s greatest sporting legends and we were delighted with his positive response. The Cardiff City Supporters’ Trust has already raised more than half the money needed and is well on course to reach the target.”

Mark Drakeford said: “A statue at the entrance to the new Cardiff City Stadium is a fitting tribute to the man who captained Cardiff City to FA cup victory in 1927 and to the only team outside England ever to win the FA cup.”